What BestPlaces Users Say about Oakland
Background information: Oakland, California is a bustling city located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Known for its vibrant art and music scene, diverse population, and proximity to major cities like San Francisco and Berkeley, Oakland has become a popular place to live. However, the city has also faced challenges with crime and rising housing costs, leading to mixed opinions from those who call it home.
Some users on BestPlaces.net have shared their experiences and thoughts on living in Oakland. Overall, the reviews paint a picture of a city with both positive and negative aspects.
One user, Amanda D, praises the city for its cultural diversity and community spirit, saying, "Oakland is a beautifully diverse and vibrant city, filled with people from all walks of life. The community here is strong and supportive, and I feel like I truly belong." However, she also mentions the high cost of living and the presence of crime, stating, "The downside is that housing prices are skyrocketing and there is a fair amount of crime in certain areas."
Another user, Mark S, shares a similar sentiment, stating, "Oakland has a rich history and culture, and I love being a part of it. However, the cost of living is becoming unmanageable, and I worry about the safety of my family." He also mentions the city's ongoing struggles with gentrification and displacement.
On the other hand, Jessica B shares a more positive experience, saying, "I've lived in Oakland my whole life and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The people here are friendly and welcoming, and there's always something fun to do." She also mentions the city's thriving food scene and natural beauty.
Lastly, John M offers a mixed perspective, stating, "I've had a love-hate relationship with Oakland. On one hand, the cultural diversity and sense of community are amazing. But on the other hand, the crime and high cost of living can be overwhelming at times." He advises those considering moving to Oakland to thoroughly research the different neighborhoods and their safety levels.
Overall, while many users appreciate Oakland for its diversity and culture, there are also concerns about affordability and safety. It is important for individuals to do thorough research and consider their priorities before deciding to live in this city.
based on 38 ReviewsGet to know Oakland with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Oakland
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Oakland, CA - 7/12/2006
Close to San Francisco, but without as much fog. A lot of diversity in terms of ethnicity and economics. Houses are very expensive; public schools are poor at the high school level. Close to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and lots of outdoor, fun recreational
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housing costs - 4/18/2006
Oakland environment and cost of housing sucks. Incredibly high rents and housing costs for substandard housing. Time to move! And I'm a native Californian. Oakland is also rife with illegal drug trafficing and the cops must be making a fortune for ignorning it. Very corrupt community with many murders and drug dealing. Not the place for a family. If you're on social services or recently out of jail this is
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Oakland - the most under-rated city of its size. - 4/10/2006
Like many people living in San Francisco, I used to look down my nose at Oakland. To me, it was San Francisco's ugly stepsister. I moved there when I got married 37 years ago, but not because I really wanted to.
The longer I have lived here, there more I have cme to appreciate it. I now feel that it is one of the most underrated cities of its size in the entire country. It has the best climate of any medium-sized city, with very moderate temperatures year round.
It has a lot to offer in every area, including the rich flavor of cultural diversity of all types. And, if you should want even more, Berkeley is right next door and San Francisco is just a few miles across the Bay,
Yes, it is expensive to live here, mostly because of high real estate prices, but it not as bad as San Francisco or many other places. Howver, the pay scales here are commensurate to the cost of living, so that makes up for it.
The crime rate is rather bad
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Oakland is undiscovered - 2/26/2006
After living in San Francisco for 30 years I'm delighted to have moved to oakland. Houses are more reasonably priced, the Oakland Hills have fabulous views and are close to an extensive parks system for hiking and quiet without driving very far, there is immeasurably less congestion, miles easier parking, less of a homeless problem, and nice people in city services. If you want access to culture, it's here or within 30 minutes in SF or Berkeley. This city is
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Great place if you can afford it - 11/30/2005
I've lived in Oakland for 10 years. It is one of the most $$$ places to live in the US.
Yes we have great weather and it is beautiful, but it gets to be more and more expensive to live here every year.
The housing costs on this site for Oakland are woefully outdated.
The average cost of a home in Oakland when I moved here in 1996 was $350,000. That is without the bids over the asking price. The bids over asking price at the time ranged from $5,000-10,000 over the asking price.
Now the average cost of a home in Oakland is $750,000 without the bids over asking price. I don't even want to know what the range over asking price is these days for a house.
With housing costs being what they are and the Oakland school district being what it is (Awful), I don't know how anyone can afford to live here and have a family/raise a child in private school.
California just keeps getting more and more $$$. I don't know if
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